ICS theater is highly competitive. As a result, I am regularly asked, “how can I do my best in auditions to help my chances of being cast in the show or get the role I am hoping for?”

Here are some tips.

1. Your audition does not start on the stage.

There are many things taken into consideration when casting for a show. One very big factor is, how are you off stage? Are you reliable enough to memorize lines/music/choreography and come to all the rehearsals you say you will? How can the director know these things? The answer is they look at how you are in your everyday life (or in past shows if you’ve been a part of the theater before). If the directors don’t know you personally, they will ask your teachers. Are you kind to your classmates? Do you do your homework? Are you usually on time? If the answer to these questions is no, start today! It’s never too late!

2. Be prepared

One way the director can know they can trust you to be prepared for a show or for rehearsals is to be prepared for your audition. Practice, know your song/lines/dance/etc. Bring all materials with you, and practice the suggestions below.

3. Don’t be afraid to stand out (ENERGY, ENERGY, ENERGY)

In theater, you don’t want to fit in, you want to be different. There have been many times when I have made a choice for a role because someone made a bold character choice, had a ton of energy, and really committed. In a theater, everything you do has to be seen and heard in the back of the theater as well as the front. Bigger and louder is better! It’s ok and good to be nervous, and nervousness is never a reason not to make a bold choice.

4. Practice for family and friends

If the first time you perform your audition for an audience is in your audition, you will mess up! Practice for other people first so you can work out the kinks. You can even ask for their feedback.

5. Take notes

In the audition or callbacks, the director may ask you to change something about your performance and do it again. That does not mean you did a bad job, it means that they want to see if you can take notes or they want to see you try something new. You can practice for this by performing for a family member or friend beforehand and asking them to ask you to change something about your performance and then doing it.

6. Choose an audition piece that showcases the best of you

Choose something that makes you feel confident that shows your strengths (whether that is vocal range, dance, acting, or all of the above!)

7. If you mess up, keep going.

It’s ok to mess up. Sometimes, no matter how much you practice, you still mess up. It even happens on Broadway. The thing is, when it happens on Broadway, they think quickly to cover it up and keep going. The show must go on. Do your best to hide the mistake. Don’t stop, apologize or call attention to it. My friends and I used to throw stuffed animals at each other to distract each other as we’d practice so that we could mess up and practice continuing on. It really helped!

8. Have fun!

If you have fun performing it, we will have fun watching you. We are rooting for you and want you to succeed. We can’t wait to see what you do!!